MUHS to set up expert team for conducting surprise checks in state colleges

For the first time in the state, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) has appointed an expert committee to interact with students in order to understand the problems they face in their colleges. The committee will also conduct surprise checks to ensure good infrastructure and teacher strength across colleges. The report will be filed on the basis of interaction with the student committee and submitted to the varsity.

MUHS ensures systematic instruction, training and research in modern medicine and the Indian system of medicine in Maharashtra. It controls over 39 medical, 30 dental, 60 ayurveda and 100 nursing colleges.

Dr Arun Jamkar, vice chancellor, MUHS, said, "We recently started this drive and got a good response from students. The committee interacted with the students and understood their grievances, on the basis of which, they made a report which they submitted to us. We went through the report and instructed the concerned colleges to resolve the issues which were highlighted."

He added, "We are taking the student-related issues seriously and are trying to resolve their problems by talking to higher authorities."

The varsity had a local inquiry committee (LIC) who visits colleges annually. Apart from this, the administration feels that another committee ought to conduct surprise visits to colleges. The main mandate of this second committee would be interaction with students and understanding their problems. "There is a need for this kind of initiative. It will improve the medical education and students will have all the facilities that they deserve. Some medical colleges' infrastructure isn't up to the mark and these surprise checks could help maintain a certain standard throughout the year," said Dr Jayesh Lele, secretary, Indian Medical Association.